Help Us Find "Our" Diesel MH

[Tgator1]

We're going to be shopping for a "short" diesel class A. We have camped in our 33' fifth wheel the last 13 years. We think a motor home might be a little "easier" to work with if it is equipped right. Automatic levelling, a powered awning, a generator we don't need to pull start, etc. should make camping a little more enjoyable. We like to boondock in National Forests and Parks and want to fit in places that a 40+ footer might not. We keep our vehicles a long time, so will probably keep this purchase for more than 8 years. Cummins and Allison have good reputations and would lean that way for our powertrain. A MH 36' and under should work. We will probably tow a Malibu 4 down.

So, what's out there? Our budget is $150k and willing to consider both new and used (as long as we can get an extended warranty). Please help with some names with good reputations for quality and companies that stand behind their product.

[WILDEBILL308]

ldm468 wrote:

JCGibson wrote:
... Tiffin Breeze doesn't have a Cummins, but is a descent coach, ...

JCGibson: I looked at Tiffins' website and the 2016 Breeze now features the Cummins 5.0 engine.

Len

Some one please buy one so they can give us a report on the new 5.0 Cummins in a motorhome.:)
Bill

[Mr_Mark1]

Tgator1 wrote:
Thanks to all that replied. I'm checking PPL every day and RV Trader often. We hope to have our motor home by May!

Since you are in Texas, look at Motorhomes of Texas (MOT) in Nacogdoches, TX.

I like the fact that they detail every coach inside and out and that they keep the coaches plugged in, slides in (unless showing).

We consigned our '08 Monaco Dynasty with them in August of 2014, it sold November of '14.

Good luck on your search!
MM.

[Tgator1]

Thanks to all that replied. I'm checking PPL every day and RV Trader often. We hope to have our motor home by May!

[Sooner_Schooner]

I won't get into which brands may be better, all have their pros and cons. But I will offer my two cents worth on extended warranties.Unless you get stuck with a real lemon, the extended warranty is worthless. Spend a little extra time to verify whatever you buy is quality and save your money. So many people have learned the hard way about how expensive these warranties are and what they don't cover, (usually in the fine print). I have a good friend here at our current resort that did learn the hard way, even after I told him I would not buy it. $3000 later he has got little or no benefit from it, they keep showing him the exclusions. Some people may disagree with me, but this is my opinion and experience with extended warranties, do your own research and I wish you all the best with whatever motorhome you buy. We went from a fifth wheel to a Class A and love it!

[ldm468]

JCGibson wrote:
... Tiffin Breeze doesn't have a Cummins, but is a descent coach, ...

JCGibson: I looked at Tiffins' website and the 2016 Breeze now features the Cummins 5.0 engine.

Len

[mdanielson55]

Give lazydays a call they probably sell 10 a day. I feel like I got a great deal.

[JCGibson]

I would recommend either a Tiffin RED or Newmar Ventana LE. They have a few floor plans that are under 36' and both have Cummins/Allison combination and if you go back to 2014 or older will fit your budget. Tiffin Breeze doesn't have a Cummins, but is a descent coach, however, might be too much of a downsize from a 5th Wheel.

[supercub]

For that budget, you can get a lot of motor home. I wouldn't buy new, let someone else have the headaches and depreciation. Most people love the motor home they have, and I'm no exception. I have an 04 Fleetwood Revolution, bought a couple years ago with less the 27,000 miles, was loaded and upgraded to flat screen TV's, paid less then 1/2 your budget for it. Was in like new condition, always garaged kept. Only thing I've added to it was an outside TV and a washer/dryer.
Look and find a motor home that you like the floor plan, but again, save a ton of money and buy used. Fleetwood, Tiffin, Newmar, Monaco, are good names that come to mind, but there's others too. The Roadmaster R4R chassis made by Monaco is known for a harsh ride. Whatever you decide on, test drive it over various road conditions and grades, not just around the block..........and then test drive it some more. Good luck
Brian

[Fleetwood_Coupl]

If you would like to hit the state campgrounds and forest service type area while boondocking, I would stay as close to 30 as you can. That said I am not sure who is making that type rig, So the 32 footer mentioned above might be your only option.

[John_Wayne]

Winnebago makes a 32 ft Journey with 2 slides diesel pusher get it with the 6 speed trans

[WILDEBILL308]

Look at this one 2011 33foot with 2,265 miles on it.
http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/diesel/2011-Serrano-31212.htm
or this 2010 with a few more miles 34,379 but only $63,995.
http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/diesel/2010-Serrano-31701.htm
I have ben in lots of parks and never had a problem with my coach.
Bill

[prstlk]

Opposing slides in the living area are a must for us. I personally prefer a used coach with a good history. We are presently work camping in a large park near Big Bend np. I have run into 15+ people on maiden voyages with minor to serious problems. This runs the gammet from high end dps to entry level tts. One guy with new Thor had 2 pages of problems, but cw couldn't get him in for 6 weeks!
Used rigs tend to have most of the bugs worked out. Most new rigs have a 1 year warranty, so your window for help is fairly small. If you unsure consider a service contract.
Jmho

[bullydogs1]

Mark has this nailed...The Tiffin would do it...For your budget, you can sure find a beautiful DP...Take your time and get what you want.

[RFCN2]

A good short diesel pusher is in almost every case an oxymoron. DP's put the motor behind the rear wheels and so to get a long enough wheel base you need at least 36' length to get decent handling. If you get a front motored diesel no problem. Or if you are OK with the handling of short chassis rigs then go for it.